La Francaise Diamant

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[raindog]

It's in fantastic condition isn't it? I still think it's mid to late 60s, maybe early 70s, with those Mafac Racer centre pulls, but maybe someone will come up with a better estimate.

 

[biggs682]

+1 re late 60's early 70's normally on back of caliper casting there is a date circle so that might help .

looks nice

 

[Bobby Maclean]

...couldn’t resist, must be something about orange. i can’t find very much info on this make, it is probably from the 70’s, has solida crankset, Normandy hubs and I think mavic rims which take tubalar tires,

guidons Phillips handle bars, hurret gearing and racer brakes. If anyone can help with the make much appreciated.

 

[raleighnut]

Nice

 

[Bobby Maclean]

Just spent the afternoon cleaning this, one thing that I noticed is it’s has quite a poor paint job, runs and splodges aplenty, so probably not the original factory finish and maybe the decals are not from the original bike?
Things I have noticed if there are any experts out there who can help, are are these stamps I have shown in the pictures. The number 75 and the number 8.
The RGV bottom bracket shell I can find stuff about...


1.9.2014

"....I used them (RGF bottom brackets) on most of the frames I built in England through the 1970s, and bought them from Ron Kitching who imported them along with the Prugnat lugs. These BB shells were 'Bulge Formed' which is an interesting process and I will explain for the benefit of those who have not heard of this."
"A steel tube with the diameter and wall thickness of a bottom bracket shell is fed into a special machine. A mold clamps around the tube that has internal sockets that form the down tube, seat tube, and chain stay sockets. The ends of the tube are sealed and hydraulic oil is pumped inside. The pressure causes the steel to blow into the sockets like a bubble."
"The mold opens, the tube slides sideways to clear the mold and a saw cuts it off. The machine repeats whole process automatically. In a separate process the sealed ends of the sockets are machined off making the finished sockets for the tubes. Finally the BB shell is faced and threaded."
"I used these BB shells because they were the best available at that time. By the late 1970s investment cast bottom brackets, which are far superior, became available. I’m sure the bulge forming process is still being used for lower end bikes." Dave Moulton, frame builder (retired)
The numbers on the front post, do they mean anything?